... THE RUN CHASE ...

Right then, Kolkata will be the happier of the two sides at the halfway mark, and with the arrival of dew, the ball will skid onto the bat and make life easier for their batters. Kolkata will be confident enough to gun down this total. As for Hyderabad, early wickets will be of significant importance, and if they are able to replicate the havoc created by their counterparts in the Powerplay, they will have a real shot at defending this total. Back in a bit for the chase.

One of the star performers for Kolkata, Mitchell Starc is down for a chat. He says that he is fortunate enough to have played a few big games and nine months ago, they were here as well and it was fantastic to get Powerplay wickets. On Travis Head's wicket, Starc jokes and says that he might use it against him and then goes on to say that to get both openers cheaply was huge. Reckons that there's certainly dew now and the wicket has gotten skiddier and thinks the wicket will get a bit better but

As for Hyderabad, they would have had a different total in mind, having opted to bat first, but given that they were 126-9, a fighting knock from Pat Cummins has given them something to bowl at. Their ever-reliable opening pair was blown away, and soon, Hyderabad found themselves reduced to 39-4. Despite wickets falling around him, Rahul Tripathi, who survived an LBW scare early in the innings, continued to take calculated risks and ticked along nicely. Heinrich Klaasen took his time to get goi

A near-perfect bowling effort from Kolkata, and they have one foot in the final! Although complacency crept in a tad bit towards the end, Shreyas Iyer will be pleased with how it all panned out for his side. Despite the last two league stage games being washed out, Kolkata showed no signs of rust and looked poised for the challenge right from ball one. Mitchell Starc set the tone, and his new ball partner, Vaibhav Arora, followed it up with a wicket of his own from the other end. The start kept

Andre Russell to Pat Cummins, ! CAUGHT! That's it, Hyderabad have been bowled out inside their 20 overs! Andre Russell strides in and bowls a heavy ball, into the pitch and pushes it slightly wide of the off stump. Pat Cummins stays put and just goes after it and has to really reach for it. The ball goes up in the air off the to end of the bat and comes just around the silly point region. The keeper, Rahmanullah Gurbaz calls for it and pouches it safely. Cummins departs after a fine

Andre Russell to Pat Cummins, Full and in the blockhole outside off, Pat Cummins jams it out on the off side for a dot.

Andre Russell to Vijayakanth Viyaskanth, Wow, that is cheeky from Pat Cummins but the throw from the deep was sloppy too. Banged in short and wide, Vijayakanth Viyaskanth hops and slaps it away over the point region. Harshit Rana gets across from third man and sees the batters settling for two and just under-arms the throw. Cummins sees this and just goes for the third run, getting it with ease as well.

Who will bowl the last over? It will be Andre Russell (1-0-12-0).

Mitchell Starc to Pat Cummins, ! No luck involved there and that is brilliant from Pat Cummins.

Mitchell Starc to Pat Cummins, ! Not in control but the result is positive for Pat Cummins and that brings up the 150 for Hyderabad. Short of a length, banged in towards the body and Pat just looks to go after it but the ball flies off the top edge and goes all the way over the keeper's head for a maximum.

Mitchell Starc to Pat Cummins, Full and outside off at almost 141 clicks, Pat Cummins backs away and gives it the big wind up only to almost chop it back onto the stumps but luckily for him, the ball rolls past the stumps and behind to the keeper.

Mitchell Starc to Vijayakanth Viyaskanth, Well negotiated! A short ball aimed right at the chest, Vijayakanth Viyaskanth does well to hop and fend it down to third man for a single.

Mitchell Starc to Pat Cummins, Bowled back of a length and into the pitch over off stump, Pat Cummins mistimes the pull towards wide long on and picks up a single.

Mitchell Starc (3-0-22-3) comes back into the attack. Remember, he is on a hat-trick.

Mitchell Starc to Pat Cummins, Almost the hat-trick but Pat Cummins survives!

Varun Chakaravarthy to Pat Cummins, Floated up full and outside off, Pat Cummins leans on and strokes it through covers for one more. 11 off the over, a much-needed one for Hyderabad.

Varun Chakaravarthy to Vijayakanth Viyaskanth, 1 run.

Varun Chakaravarthy to Pat Cummins, Goes on the bounce! Floated up around off, Pat Cummins gets across the off stump and sweeps it hard and flat to deep backward square leg for one more.

Varun Chakaravarthy to Vijayakanth Viyaskanth, Tossed up around off stump, Vijayakanth Viyaskanth gets on the front foot and shows the full face of the bat before just pushing it down to long off for a run.

Varun Chakaravarthy to Pat Cummins, Flighted up on the stumps, slogged away off the inner half of the bat to deep square leg for a single.

Varun Chakaravarthy to Pat Cummins, ! Oh, hello!

Harshit Rana to Pat Cummins, Slower one, pitched up on off stump, Pat Cummins backs away again and just bunts it wide of short third for a single.

Harshit Rana to Pat Cummins, ! Excellent placement!

Harshit Rana to Vijayakanth Viyaskanth, Full and outside off stump, pace on too, hit away off the outer half of the bat wide of third man for a single by Vijayakanth Viyaskanth.

Harshit Rana to Pat Cummins, Another slower delivery, bowled fuller and around off, Pat Cummins shapes up for the big hit but adjusts well to just dab it towards short third for a single.

Harshit Rana to Pat Cummins, Another swing and a miss!

Harshit Rana to Pat Cummins, Oh, that was almost it! Slower one, pitched up around middle and angling in, Pat Cummins backs away to go across the line but is comprehensively beaten and the ball just misses the leg stump.

Varun Chakaravarthy to Bhuvneshwar Kumar, ! LBW! Looks dead straight and the finger goes up!

Vijayakanth Viyaskanth is the last man in.

Varun Chakaravarthy to Bhuvneshwar Kumar, No run.

Varun Chakaravarthy to Pat Cummins, Just short! Flatter one on the stumps, Pat Cummins slogs it away flat towards long on where Venkatesh Iyer doesn't quite pick it up and tries to take it on the bounce. The ball hits him in the groin region as the batters get a run.

Varun Chakaravarthy to Pat Cummins, Bowled quick and flat outside off stump, Pat Cummins leaves it alone.

Varun Chakaravarthy to Pat Cummins, No run.

Varun Chakaravarthy to Pat Cummins, A big heave across the line but it comes to nothing.

Harshit Rana to Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Lands it on a back of a length, on middle, Bhuvneshwar Kumar gets on his toes and stabs it down the deck. End of a wicket-taking over from Rana.

Harshit Rana to Bhuvneshwar Kumar, No run.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar is the new man in.

Harshit Rana to Abdul Samad, ! STRAIGHT TO THE FIELDER! Another one bites the dust! Harshit Rana strikes on his return to the attack and Hyderabad slip further.

Harshit Rana to Pat Cummins, Sees the batter back away and follows him with a back-of-a-length delivery, Pat Cummins nudges it down to long on for a single.

Harshit Rana to Abdul Samad, Rolls his fingers over the ball, on a good length, around off, Abdul Samad drives it on the up towards deep cover for a single.

Harshit Rana to Abdul Samad, Play and a miss! Harshit hits the deck hard and bowls it in the channel on off, Abdul Samad frees his arms to go hard on the off side but gets beaten on the outside edge.

Sunil Narine to Pat Cummins, Bowls it flat and short, quick as well, Pat Cummins tries to dab it away on the off side but misses.

Sunil Narine to Pat Cummins, No run.

Sunil Narine to Pat Cummins, 2 runs.

Sunil Narine to Sanvir Singh, ! CLEANED HIM UP! The Impact Player departs for a golden duck!

Skipper, Pat Cummins walks in with his team in a spot of real bother.

Sanvir Singh is the next batter in for Hyderabad and he comes in as the Impact Player. Sanvir replaces Abhishek Sharma in the lineup.

Sunil Narine to Abdul Samad, ! run out (Andre Russell / Rahmanullah Gurbaz).

Sunil Narine to Abdul Samad, ! Abdul Samad goes big again and this has gone many a mile! Turning into the right-hander, on a length, Abdul Samad puts the dancing shoes on and hits it with the turn. It goes way beyond the deep mid-wicket fence for a maximum.

Strategic Break! Well, this has been a brilliant recovery from Hyderabad or at least it was till Rahul Tripathi and Heinrich Klaasen were batting together but now that Varun Chakaravarthy has seen the back of Klaasen, Hyderabad need to be a bit cautious. There are still 7 overs to go which is about one-third of the innings and Kolkata will feel a couple of more wickets will get the job done for them in order to restrict the opposition to under 180. Let's see if Hyderabad can conjure up a mira

Varun Chakaravarthy to Abdul Samad, 'Catch' is the call but Mitchell Starc opts to save the boundary rather than going for the catch.

Varun Chakaravarthy to Rahul Tripathi, Gives the ball air but bowls it full, on off, Rahul Tripathi walks down the track and knocks it down to long off for one.

Varun Chakaravarthy to Rahul Tripathi, Quicker but the length stays short, on off, Rahul Tripathi dabs it off the back foot to backward point.

Varun Chakaravarthy to Abdul Samad, 1 run.

Varun Chakaravarthy to Abdul Samad, Almost ran past him!

Varun Chakaravarthy to Rahul Tripathi, Angling in, short and on middle, Rahul Tripathi works it from the crease to deep mid-wicket for one.

Varun Chakaravarthy to Rahul Tripathi, WIDE! Drifts down leg does Varun Chakaravarthy, Rahul Tripathi gets inside the line and lets it go for a wide.

Sunil Narine to Rahul Tripathi, This is a bit short and around middle, Rahul Tripathi gets on top of the bounce and whips it through mid-wicket to keep strike with a single.

Sunil Narine to Abdul Samad, 1 run.

Sunil Narine to Abdul Samad, A bit quicker this time, at the stumps, on a nagging length, Abdul Samad covers the line of the ball and stabs it down the deck.

Sunil Narine to Abdul Samad, Turning into the batter, on a nagging length again, Abdul Samad does not have much room to work it and can only defend it back to the bowler.

Sunil Narine to Abdul Samad, Six!

Abdul Samad is the new man in.

Sunil Narine to Rahul Tripathi, 1 run.

Varun Chakaravarthy to Heinrich Klaasen, ! c Rinku Singh b Varun Chakaravarthy.

Varun Chakaravarthy to Rahul Tripathi, 1 run.

Varun Chakaravarthy to Rahul Tripathi, ! Expertly played and that brings up FIFTY for Rahul Tripathi! Intent has been on Tripathi's mind right from ball one and he is playing an invaluable knock here to dig Hyderabad out of a hole. Pushes it through, on a good length, on off, Rahul Tripathi pulls out the reverse sweep and hits it to the left of backward point for a boundary.

Varun Chakaravarthy to Heinrich Klaasen, 1 run.

Varun Chakaravarthy to Rahul Tripathi, Slower through the air and bowls it a bit fuller, on off, Rahul Tripathi drives it square to deep point for a single.

Varun Chakaravarthy to Rahul Tripathi, Varun Chakaravarthy nails the yorker and gives away nothing on the Free Hit. This is around middle and leg, Rahul Tripathi gets his bat dow and can only jam it out to the right of the bowler.

Varun Chakaravarthy to Heinrich Klaasen, NO BALL! Oops! A false start for Varun Chakaravarthy! Pushes it through first up, at 94.6 kph, on a length, on middle, Heinrich Klaasen tucks it through mid-wicket for a single. Free Hit coming up.

Andre Russell to Heinrich Klaasen, Back of a length and over the stumps, played away off the back foot down to long on for one.

Andre Russell to Rahul Tripathi, In the air but lands in a vast vacant region. Short again but this is a much heavier delivery and bowled at the batter, Rahul Tripathi gets rushed into the pull and miscues it around mid on for one more.

Andre Russell to Rahul Tripathi, ! Too short again and Rahul Tripathi is a master craftsman.

Andre Russell to Heinrich Klaasen, Short again and around off, hit away off the back foot square through covers for a single.

Andre Russell to Heinrich Klaasen, ! Heinrich Klaasen has really taken matters into his own hands here. Banged in short and wide, Klaasen is waiting for it and he slashes it up and over backward point for a one-bounce boundary.

Andre Russell to Rahul Tripathi, Full and straight to begin with, Rahul Tripathi stays in the crease and whips the shot along the turf to long on for a run.

Sunil Narine to Heinrich Klaasen, ! 18 off the over and Hyderabad's innings has started to get out of second gear. Quick and flat around off, enough room for Heinrich Klaasen to rock back and smash the ball wide of long off for another boundary.

Sunil Narine to Heinrich Klaasen, ! Straight up and over the ropes!

Sunil Narine to Heinrich Klaasen, Fractionally short and quick at 100 KPH around off, Heinrich Klaasen backs away and hits it wide of deep cover for a couple of runs.

Sunil Narine to Rahul Tripathi, Quite full and straight, swept away nicely to deep square leg for a single by Tripathi.

Sunil Narine to Rahul Tripathi, ! Another calculated risk taken by Rahul Tripathi and again, it comes off.

Strategic break! It has been just the start Kolkata would have hoped for with Mitchell Starc being the wrecker-in-chief with three scalps. As they have done all season, we might soon see spin introduced from both ends in this middle phase as Kolkata continue their hunt for more wickets. Not only does Hyderabad need a partnership here but they also need to ensure that the scorecard keeps ticking and the onus will be on Rahul Tripathi who is looking good and has batted with intent so far.

Sunil Narine to Heinrich Klaasen, Bowled a touch shorter and angled into the leg stump, Heinrich Klaasen stays back and tucks it down through mid-wicket for a single.

Harshit Rana to Heinrich Klaasen, 1 run.

Harshit Rana to Rahul Tripathi, Hard length in and around off stump, played away on the off side for an easy single.

Harshit Rana to Rahul Tripathi, ! Nicely done and that has gone all the way! Too short again and around off stump, Rahul Tripathi picks the length early and waits for it before ramping it back over the keeper's head for a maximum.

Harshit Rana to Rahul Tripathi, WIDE! Banged in way too short and outside off, this one moves away as well but is called a wide for height.

Harshit Rana to Heinrich Klaasen, Back of a length and outside off stump, cut away in front of point for another single by Heinrich Klaasen.

Harshit Rana to Rahul Tripathi, Rahul Tripathi trying to toy with the bowler's mind but just the single comes off it. Tripathi shuffles around to the off side before backing away and Harshit Rana bowls it slower outside the off stump. Tripathi reaches it and slices the ball wide of third man for a run.

Harshit Rana to Heinrich Klaasen, Short of a length and dug in over middle stump, Heinrich Klaasen stays compact and just clubs the ball flat down to long on for a single.

Sunil Narine to Heinrich Klaasen, Tidy start from Sunil Narine, just 5 singles off it. Flighted up a bit on a nagging length and at the stumps, Heinrich Klaasen stays in the crease and punches it firmly back past the bowler for a run.

Sunil Narine to Rahul Tripathi, 1 run.

Sunil Narine to Heinrich Klaasen, Slightly fuller on middle and going the other way, Heinrich Klaasen watches it well and just pats it through mid off for a single.

Sunil Narine to Heinrich Klaasen, Keeps the length a bit short and bowls it around off, the ball doesn't quite come on and Heinrich Klaasen punches it back to the bowler.

Sunil Narine to Rahul Tripathi, On a dragged length and outside off, Rahul Tripathi waits well on the back foot and just dabs it away to short third for one.

Sunil Narine to Heinrich Klaasen, Flatter to begin with and bowls it on the pads first up, Heinrich Klaasen nudges it around the corner for a single.

Harshit Rana to Heinrich Klaasen, Rana hits the deck hard and bowls it around off, Heinrich Klaasen hops back and rides the bounce to steer it down to deep third for a single.

Harshit Rana to Heinrich Klaasen, Oh, that was a steepler!

Harshit Rana to Heinrich Klaasen, Good length, trying to angle it in from outside off, Heinrich Klaasen gets on the front foot and punches it straight to covers.

Harshit Rana to Heinrich Klaasen, ! Slashes and slashes hard! Back of a length again and outside off, no foot movement from Heinrich Klaasen and he just throws his hands at it. The ball flies off the outside edge and goes fine of third man for a boundary.

Harshit Rana to Rahul Tripathi, 1 run.

Harshit Rana to Rahul Tripathi, Starts from over the wicket and gets it right on the money! Good length around the top of off and middle, Rahul Tripathi watchfully defends it out.

Heinrich Klaasen is the new man in. Also, Harshit Rana comes into the attack.

Mitchell Starc to Shahbaz Ahmed, ! b Mitchell Starc.

Shahbaz Ahmed has been sent in at number 5.

Mitchell Starc to Nitish Kumar Reddy, ! IN THE AIR AND GONE! The move to give Mitchell Starc the third over in his opening spell has worked for Shreyas Iyer and Kolkata.

Mitchell Starc to Nitish Kumar Reddy, Drags his length back and serves it top of off, Nitish Kumar Reddy gets on his toes and punches it sweetly to backward point.

Mitchell Starc to Rahul Tripathi, At 146.4 kph, on a length and attacking the stumps, Rahul Tripathi hurriedly swipes it through square leg for a single.

Mitchell Starc to Nitish Kumar Reddy, Slanting in from around the wicket, on a length, around off, Nitish Kumar Reddy chops it beside the pitch on the off side and gets to the other end.

Mitchell Starc to Nitish Kumar Reddy, ! Shot! Hit with real authority! Starc serves it on a length with a scrambled seam and offers width on off, Nitish Kumar Reddy throws his hands at it and flays it over covers for a boundary.

Mitchell Starc to continue and bowl his third over on the trot...

Vaibhav Arora to Nitish Kumar Reddy, Quick single taken!

Vaibhav Arora to Nitish Kumar Reddy, WIDE! Errs in line does Arora as he slips it beyond the wide guide line on off, on a good length, Nitish Kumar Reddy initially looks to go after it but changes his mind and leaves it alone.

Vaibhav Arora to Nitish Kumar Reddy, 2 runs.

Vaibhav Arora to Rahul Tripathi, Sees the batter make an early shuffle towards the off side but Arora holds his line and length, on middle and leg, on a good length, Rahul Tripathi backs away eventually and nudges it in front of mid on for a single.

Vaibhav Arora to Rahul Tripathi, Well bowled! Bends his back and bangs it in short, over middle, Rahul Tripathi goes for the pull but the ball sails over his bat.

Vaibhav Arora to Rahul Tripathi, No ball and Four!

Vaibhav Arora to Rahul Tripathi, No run.

Vaibhav Arora to Rahul Tripathi, This is on a length, on off, Rahul Tripathi skips down the track to go back over the bowler's head. Does not get hold of it but gets it away from mid off and collects a couple of runs.

Mitchell Starc to Nitish Kumar Reddy, No run.

Mitchell Starc to Nitish Kumar Reddy, No run.

Mitchell Starc to Rahul Tripathi, 1 run.

Mitchell Starc to Rahul Tripathi, ! Risky but Rahul Tripathi gets the reward!

Mitchell Starc to Nitish Kumar Reddy, Much better from Starc, attacking the stumps, on a fuller length, length, Nitish Kumar Reddy digs it out to the left of mid-wicket and takes a single.

Mitchell Starc to Nitish Kumar Reddy, Wide!

Mitchell Starc to Rahul Tripathi, Starc persists with the full length and serves it on off, Rahul Tripathi drives it wide of mid off and calls Nitish Kumar Reddy through for a quick single.

Nitish Kumar Reddy walks into a precarious situation at number 4.

Vaibhav Arora to Nitish Kumar Reddy, Oh...extra bounce on that occasion! Delivers it around the off-stump line, on a good length, Nitish Kumar Reddy looks to keep this one out on the off side but gets taken aback by the extra bounce but does well to negotiate the extra bounce and dabs it down on the off side.

Vaibhav Arora to Abhishek Sharma, ! c Andre Russell b Vaibhav Arora.

Vaibhav Arora to Abhishek Sharma, Honing in at the stumps, on a good length from around the wicket, Abhishek Sharma covers the line of the ball and stabs it to point.

Vaibhav Arora to Rahul Tripathi, Gets a good inward shape and hits the hard length, top of off, Rahul Tripathi waits on the back foot and dabs it wide of backward point for a single.

Vaibhav Arora to Abhishek Sharma, Much straighter this time, on a back of a length, on off, Abhishek Sharma cuts it late towards deep backward point for a single.

Vaibhav Arora to Abhishek Sharma, WIDE! Bowls it into the deck but slips way outside the wide guideline on off, Abhishek Sharma shimmies down the track but lets it go for a wide.

Vaibhav Arora to Abhishek Sharma, Starts off on a length, angling away, on off, Abhishek Sharma hangs back and cuts it to the left of deep backward point for a couple of runs. Abhishek Sharma is away!

Vaibhav Arora to bowl from the other end.

Mitchell Starc to Rahul Tripathi, ! Aerial but it sails over!

Mitchell Starc to Rahul Tripathi, Pitches it up in the channel on off, Rahul Tripathi watchfully leaves the ball alone for the keeper to collect.

Mitchell Starc to Rahul Tripathi, Four!

Mitchell Starc to Rahul Tripathi, Nearly two in two for Mitchell Starc! Gets the ball to tail back in, on a length, around the off-stump line, Rahul Tripathi gets half-forward as he looks to keep it out. Does enough to adjust to the inward movement and gets his bat out in front of the pads to defend it on the off side.

Rahul Tripathi walks in early at number 3.

Mitchell Starc to Travis Head, Action straightaway! A mix-up on the first ball but no harm done. Mitchell Starc steams in from over the wicet and dishes it out on a fullish length, shaping away, on off, Travis Head squeezes it out to cover. Abhishek Sharma sets off for the run but gets sent back. Shreyas Iyer hurls in a throw at the bowling end but fails to hit the target.

Mitchell Starc to Travis Head, ! KNOCKED HIM OVER! Cometh the big game, cometh Mitchell Starc! Starc wins the battle of the Aussies and it is a second consecutive duck for Travis Head.

All in readiness for this crunch encounter to begin! The two umpires are the first ones to make their way out in the middle. Out come the Kolkata players next striding through the fireworks and taking their places on the field. Finally, the explosive duo of Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma also make their way through the fireworks and will open the innings for Hyderabad. Mitchell Starc has the new ball in hand and he is raring to go on the big stage. One slip in place as well, let's play...

Andre Russell is in for a chat. He says that it is a good feeling to make it to the playoffs, and the team has been having a tremendous season. Hopes that they can continue playing good cricket. Shares that they are focused despite the previous two games being washed out and are ready to play some cricket. He mentions that he has been hitting the ball well but feels that he missed out in a couple of innings where he could have pushed the score further. He adds that the balance in the team gives

Hyderabad (Playing XI) - Travis Head, Abhishek Sharma, Rahul Tripathi, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Heinrich Klaasen (WK), Abdul Samad, Shahbaz Ahmed, Pat Cummins (C), Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Vijayakanth Viyaskanth, T Natarajan.

Kolkata (Playing XI) - Rahmanullah Gurbaz (WK), Venkatesh Iyer, Shreyas Iyer (C), Rinku Singh, Sunil Narine, Andre Russell, Ramandeep Singh, Mitchell Starc, Vaibhav Arora, Harshit Rana, Varun Chakaravarthy.

The captain of Kolkata, Shreyas Iyer says that they were looking to bowl first so they got what they wanted. Feels that it is better to have a fair idea of how the wicket is playing in a crucial game and therefore, they wanted to bowl first. Shares that it is a mixed-soil pitch and wants to see how the wicket behaves. Feels that the break they got due to the last two games being washed out was a good one and it gave them the chance to introspect. Adds that it is important to stay in the present

Pat Cummins, the skipper of Hyderabad says that they will bat first. Adds that the wicket looks good and there is enough grass on it, so, it should be a high-scoring contest. Mentions that the boys are excited to be back in the playoffs and yesterday was a travel day for them but they feel refreshed. Ends by informing that they have pretty much the same team from the last game.

Impact players nominated by Hyderabad - Umran Malik, Sanvir Singh, Glenn Phillips, Washington Sundar, Jaydev Unadkat.

Impact players nominated by Kolkata - Anukul Roy, Manish Pandey, Nitish Rana, KS Bharat, Sherfane Rutherford.

... THE RUN CHASE ...

Right then, Kolkata will be the happier of the two sides at the halfway mark, and with the arrival of dew, the ball will skid onto the bat and make life easier for their batters. Kolkata will be confident enough to gun down this total. As for Hyderabad, early wickets will be of significant importance, and if they are able to replicate the havoc created by their counterparts in the Powerplay, they will have a real shot at defending this total. Back in a bit for the chase.

One of the star performers for Kolkata, Mitchell Starc is down for a chat. He says that he is fortunate enough to have played a few big games and nine months ago, they were here as well and it was fantastic to get Powerplay wickets. On Travis Head's wicket, Starc jokes and says that he might use it against him and then goes on to say that to get both openers cheaply was huge. Reckons that there's certainly dew now and the wicket has gotten skiddier and thinks the wicket will get a bit better but

As for Hyderabad, they would have had a different total in mind, having opted to bat first, but given that they were 126-9, a fighting knock from Pat Cummins has given them something to bowl at. Their ever-reliable opening pair was blown away, and soon, Hyderabad found themselves reduced to 39-4. Despite wickets falling around him, Rahul Tripathi, who survived an LBW scare early in the innings, continued to take calculated risks and ticked along nicely. Heinrich Klaasen took his time to get goi

A near-perfect bowling effort from Kolkata, and they have one foot in the final! Although complacency crept in a tad bit towards the end, Shreyas Iyer will be pleased with how it all panned out for his side. Despite the last two league stage games being washed out, Kolkata showed no signs of rust and looked poised for the challenge right from ball one. Mitchell Starc set the tone, and his new ball partner, Vaibhav Arora, followed it up with a wicket of his own from the other end. The start kept

Andre Russell to Pat Cummins, ! CAUGHT! That's it, Hyderabad have been bowled out inside their 20 overs! Andre Russell strides in and bowls a heavy ball, into the pitch and pushes it slightly wide of the off stump. Pat Cummins stays put and just goes after it and has to really reach for it. The ball goes up in the air off the to end of the bat and comes just around the silly point region. The keeper, Rahmanullah Gurbaz calls for it and pouches it safely. Cummins departs after a fine

Andre Russell to Pat Cummins, Full and in the blockhole outside off, Pat Cummins jams it out on the off side for a dot.

Andre Russell to Vijayakanth Viyaskanth, Wow, that is cheeky from Pat Cummins but the throw from the deep was sloppy too. Banged in short and wide, Vijayakanth Viyaskanth hops and slaps it away over the point region. Harshit Rana gets across from third man and sees the batters settling for two and just under-arms the throw. Cummins sees this and just goes for the third run, getting it with ease as well.

Who will bowl the last over? It will be Andre Russell (1-0-12-0).

Mitchell Starc to Pat Cummins, ! No luck involved there and that is brilliant from Pat Cummins.

Mitchell Starc to Pat Cummins, ! Not in control but the result is positive for Pat Cummins and that brings up the 150 for Hyderabad. Short of a length, banged in towards the body and Pat just looks to go after it but the ball flies off the top edge and goes all the way over the keeper's head for a maximum.

Mitchell Starc to Pat Cummins, Full and outside off at almost 141 clicks, Pat Cummins backs away and gives it the big wind up only to almost chop it back onto the stumps but luckily for him, the ball rolls past the stumps and behind to the keeper.

Mitchell Starc to Vijayakanth Viyaskanth, Well negotiated! A short ball aimed right at the chest, Vijayakanth Viyaskanth does well to hop and fend it down to third man for a single.

Mitchell Starc to Pat Cummins, Bowled back of a length and into the pitch over off stump, Pat Cummins mistimes the pull towards wide long on and picks up a single.

Mitchell Starc (3-0-22-3) comes back into the attack. Remember, he is on a hat-trick.

Mitchell Starc to Pat Cummins, Almost the hat-trick but Pat Cummins survives!

Varun Chakaravarthy to Pat Cummins, Floated up full and outside off, Pat Cummins leans on and strokes it through covers for one more. 11 off the over, a much-needed one for Hyderabad.

Varun Chakaravarthy to Vijayakanth Viyaskanth, 1 run.

Varun Chakaravarthy to Pat Cummins, Goes on the bounce! Floated up around off, Pat Cummins gets across the off stump and sweeps it hard and flat to deep backward square leg for one more.

Varun Chakaravarthy to Vijayakanth Viyaskanth, Tossed up around off stump, Vijayakanth Viyaskanth gets on the front foot and shows the full face of the bat before just pushing it down to long off for a run.

Varun Chakaravarthy to Pat Cummins, Flighted up on the stumps, slogged away off the inner half of the bat to deep square leg for a single.

Varun Chakaravarthy to Pat Cummins, ! Oh, hello!

Harshit Rana to Pat Cummins, Slower one, pitched up on off stump, Pat Cummins backs away again and just bunts it wide of short third for a single.

Harshit Rana to Pat Cummins, ! Excellent placement!

Harshit Rana to Vijayakanth Viyaskanth, Full and outside off stump, pace on too, hit away off the outer half of the bat wide of third man for a single by Vijayakanth Viyaskanth.

Harshit Rana to Pat Cummins, Another slower delivery, bowled fuller and around off, Pat Cummins shapes up for the big hit but adjusts well to just dab it towards short third for a single.

Harshit Rana to Pat Cummins, Another swing and a miss!

Harshit Rana to Pat Cummins, Oh, that was almost it! Slower one, pitched up around middle and angling in, Pat Cummins backs away to go across the line but is comprehensively beaten and the ball just misses the leg stump.

Varun Chakaravarthy to Bhuvneshwar Kumar, ! LBW! Looks dead straight and the finger goes up!

Vijayakanth Viyaskanth is the last man in.

Varun Chakaravarthy to Bhuvneshwar Kumar, No run.

Varun Chakaravarthy to Pat Cummins, Just short! Flatter one on the stumps, Pat Cummins slogs it away flat towards long on where Venkatesh Iyer doesn't quite pick it up and tries to take it on the bounce. The ball hits him in the groin region as the batters get a run.

Varun Chakaravarthy to Pat Cummins, Bowled quick and flat outside off stump, Pat Cummins leaves it alone.

Varun Chakaravarthy to Pat Cummins, No run.

Varun Chakaravarthy to Pat Cummins, A big heave across the line but it comes to nothing.

Harshit Rana to Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Lands it on a back of a length, on middle, Bhuvneshwar Kumar gets on his toes and stabs it down the deck. End of a wicket-taking over from Rana.

Harshit Rana to Bhuvneshwar Kumar, No run.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar is the new man in.

Harshit Rana to Abdul Samad, ! STRAIGHT TO THE FIELDER! Another one bites the dust! Harshit Rana strikes on his return to the attack and Hyderabad slip further.

Harshit Rana to Pat Cummins, Sees the batter back away and follows him with a back-of-a-length delivery, Pat Cummins nudges it down to long on for a single.

Harshit Rana to Abdul Samad, Rolls his fingers over the ball, on a good length, around off, Abdul Samad drives it on the up towards deep cover for a single.

Harshit Rana to Abdul Samad, Play and a miss! Harshit hits the deck hard and bowls it in the channel on off, Abdul Samad frees his arms to go hard on the off side but gets beaten on the outside edge.

Sunil Narine to Pat Cummins, Bowls it flat and short, quick as well, Pat Cummins tries to dab it away on the off side but misses.

Sunil Narine to Pat Cummins, No run.

Sunil Narine to Pat Cummins, 2 runs.

Sunil Narine to Sanvir Singh, ! CLEANED HIM UP! The Impact Player departs for a golden duck!

Skipper, Pat Cummins walks in with his team in a spot of real bother.

Sanvir Singh is the next batter in for Hyderabad and he comes in as the Impact Player. Sanvir replaces Abhishek Sharma in the lineup.

Sunil Narine to Abdul Samad, ! run out (Andre Russell / Rahmanullah Gurbaz).

Sunil Narine to Abdul Samad, ! Abdul Samad goes big again and this has gone many a mile! Turning into the right-hander, on a length, Abdul Samad puts the dancing shoes on and hits it with the turn. It goes way beyond the deep mid-wicket fence for a maximum.

Strategic Break! Well, this has been a brilliant recovery from Hyderabad or at least it was till Rahul Tripathi and Heinrich Klaasen were batting together but now that Varun Chakaravarthy has seen the back of Klaasen, Hyderabad need to be a bit cautious. There are still 7 overs to go which is about one-third of the innings and Kolkata will feel a couple of more wickets will get the job done for them in order to restrict the opposition to under 180. Let's see if Hyderabad can conjure up a mira

Varun Chakaravarthy to Abdul Samad, 'Catch' is the call but Mitchell Starc opts to save the boundary rather than going for the catch.

Varun Chakaravarthy to Rahul Tripathi, Gives the ball air but bowls it full, on off, Rahul Tripathi walks down the track and knocks it down to long off for one.

Varun Chakaravarthy to Rahul Tripathi, Quicker but the length stays short, on off, Rahul Tripathi dabs it off the back foot to backward point.

Varun Chakaravarthy to Abdul Samad, 1 run.

Varun Chakaravarthy to Abdul Samad, Almost ran past him!

Varun Chakaravarthy to Rahul Tripathi, Angling in, short and on middle, Rahul Tripathi works it from the crease to deep mid-wicket for one.

Varun Chakaravarthy to Rahul Tripathi, WIDE! Drifts down leg does Varun Chakaravarthy, Rahul Tripathi gets inside the line and lets it go for a wide.

Sunil Narine to Rahul Tripathi, This is a bit short and around middle, Rahul Tripathi gets on top of the bounce and whips it through mid-wicket to keep strike with a single.

Sunil Narine to Abdul Samad, 1 run.

Sunil Narine to Abdul Samad, A bit quicker this time, at the stumps, on a nagging length, Abdul Samad covers the line of the ball and stabs it down the deck.

Sunil Narine to Abdul Samad, Turning into the batter, on a nagging length again, Abdul Samad does not have much room to work it and can only defend it back to the bowler.

Sunil Narine to Abdul Samad, Six!

Abdul Samad is the new man in.

Sunil Narine to Rahul Tripathi, 1 run.

Varun Chakaravarthy to Heinrich Klaasen, ! c Rinku Singh b Varun Chakaravarthy.

Varun Chakaravarthy to Rahul Tripathi, 1 run.

Varun Chakaravarthy to Rahul Tripathi, ! Expertly played and that brings up FIFTY for Rahul Tripathi! Intent has been on Tripathi's mind right from ball one and he is playing an invaluable knock here to dig Hyderabad out of a hole. Pushes it through, on a good length, on off, Rahul Tripathi pulls out the reverse sweep and hits it to the left of backward point for a boundary.

Varun Chakaravarthy to Heinrich Klaasen, 1 run.

Varun Chakaravarthy to Rahul Tripathi, Slower through the air and bowls it a bit fuller, on off, Rahul Tripathi drives it square to deep point for a single.

Varun Chakaravarthy to Rahul Tripathi, Varun Chakaravarthy nails the yorker and gives away nothing on the Free Hit. This is around middle and leg, Rahul Tripathi gets his bat dow and can only jam it out to the right of the bowler.

Varun Chakaravarthy to Heinrich Klaasen, NO BALL! Oops! A false start for Varun Chakaravarthy! Pushes it through first up, at 94.6 kph, on a length, on middle, Heinrich Klaasen tucks it through mid-wicket for a single. Free Hit coming up.

Andre Russell to Heinrich Klaasen, Back of a length and over the stumps, played away off the back foot down to long on for one.

Andre Russell to Rahul Tripathi, In the air but lands in a vast vacant region. Short again but this is a much heavier delivery and bowled at the batter, Rahul Tripathi gets rushed into the pull and miscues it around mid on for one more.

Andre Russell to Rahul Tripathi, ! Too short again and Rahul Tripathi is a master craftsman.

Andre Russell to Heinrich Klaasen, Short again and around off, hit away off the back foot square through covers for a single.

Andre Russell to Heinrich Klaasen, ! Heinrich Klaasen has really taken matters into his own hands here. Banged in short and wide, Klaasen is waiting for it and he slashes it up and over backward point for a one-bounce boundary.

Andre Russell to Rahul Tripathi, Full and straight to begin with, Rahul Tripathi stays in the crease and whips the shot along the turf to long on for a run.

Sunil Narine to Heinrich Klaasen, ! 18 off the over and Hyderabad's innings has started to get out of second gear. Quick and flat around off, enough room for Heinrich Klaasen to rock back and smash the ball wide of long off for another boundary.

Sunil Narine to Heinrich Klaasen, ! Straight up and over the ropes!

Sunil Narine to Heinrich Klaasen, Fractionally short and quick at 100 KPH around off, Heinrich Klaasen backs away and hits it wide of deep cover for a couple of runs.

Sunil Narine to Rahul Tripathi, Quite full and straight, swept away nicely to deep square leg for a single by Tripathi.

Sunil Narine to Rahul Tripathi, ! Another calculated risk taken by Rahul Tripathi and again, it comes off.

Strategic break! It has been just the start Kolkata would have hoped for with Mitchell Starc being the wrecker-in-chief with three scalps. As they have done all season, we might soon see spin introduced from both ends in this middle phase as Kolkata continue their hunt for more wickets. Not only does Hyderabad need a partnership here but they also need to ensure that the scorecard keeps ticking and the onus will be on Rahul Tripathi who is looking good and has batted with intent so far.

Sunil Narine to Heinrich Klaasen, Bowled a touch shorter and angled into the leg stump, Heinrich Klaasen stays back and tucks it down through mid-wicket for a single.

Harshit Rana to Heinrich Klaasen, 1 run.

Harshit Rana to Rahul Tripathi, Hard length in and around off stump, played away on the off side for an easy single.

Harshit Rana to Rahul Tripathi, ! Nicely done and that has gone all the way! Too short again and around off stump, Rahul Tripathi picks the length early and waits for it before ramping it back over the keeper's head for a maximum.

Harshit Rana to Rahul Tripathi, WIDE! Banged in way too short and outside off, this one moves away as well but is called a wide for height.

Harshit Rana to Heinrich Klaasen, Back of a length and outside off stump, cut away in front of point for another single by Heinrich Klaasen.

Harshit Rana to Rahul Tripathi, Rahul Tripathi trying to toy with the bowler's mind but just the single comes off it. Tripathi shuffles around to the off side before backing away and Harshit Rana bowls it slower outside the off stump. Tripathi reaches it and slices the ball wide of third man for a run.

Harshit Rana to Heinrich Klaasen, Short of a length and dug in over middle stump, Heinrich Klaasen stays compact and just clubs the ball flat down to long on for a single.

Sunil Narine to Heinrich Klaasen, Tidy start from Sunil Narine, just 5 singles off it. Flighted up a bit on a nagging length and at the stumps, Heinrich Klaasen stays in the crease and punches it firmly back past the bowler for a run.

Sunil Narine to Rahul Tripathi, 1 run.

Sunil Narine to Heinrich Klaasen, Slightly fuller on middle and going the other way, Heinrich Klaasen watches it well and just pats it through mid off for a single.

Sunil Narine to Heinrich Klaasen, Keeps the length a bit short and bowls it around off, the ball doesn't quite come on and Heinrich Klaasen punches it back to the bowler.

Sunil Narine to Rahul Tripathi, On a dragged length and outside off, Rahul Tripathi waits well on the back foot and just dabs it away to short third for one.

Sunil Narine to Heinrich Klaasen, Flatter to begin with and bowls it on the pads first up, Heinrich Klaasen nudges it around the corner for a single.

Harshit Rana to Heinrich Klaasen, Rana hits the deck hard and bowls it around off, Heinrich Klaasen hops back and rides the bounce to steer it down to deep third for a single.

Harshit Rana to Heinrich Klaasen, Oh, that was a steepler!

Harshit Rana to Heinrich Klaasen, Good length, trying to angle it in from outside off, Heinrich Klaasen gets on the front foot and punches it straight to covers.

Harshit Rana to Heinrich Klaasen, ! Slashes and slashes hard! Back of a length again and outside off, no foot movement from Heinrich Klaasen and he just throws his hands at it. The ball flies off the outside edge and goes fine of third man for a boundary.

Harshit Rana to Rahul Tripathi, 1 run.

Harshit Rana to Rahul Tripathi, Starts from over the wicket and gets it right on the money! Good length around the top of off and middle, Rahul Tripathi watchfully defends it out.

Heinrich Klaasen is the new man in. Also, Harshit Rana comes into the attack.

Mitchell Starc to Shahbaz Ahmed, ! b Mitchell Starc.

Shahbaz Ahmed has been sent in at number 5.

Mitchell Starc to Nitish Kumar Reddy, ! IN THE AIR AND GONE! The move to give Mitchell Starc the third over in his opening spell has worked for Shreyas Iyer and Kolkata.

Mitchell Starc to Nitish Kumar Reddy, Drags his length back and serves it top of off, Nitish Kumar Reddy gets on his toes and punches it sweetly to backward point.

Mitchell Starc to Rahul Tripathi, At 146.4 kph, on a length and attacking the stumps, Rahul Tripathi hurriedly swipes it through square leg for a single.

Mitchell Starc to Nitish Kumar Reddy, Slanting in from around the wicket, on a length, around off, Nitish Kumar Reddy chops it beside the pitch on the off side and gets to the other end.

Mitchell Starc to Nitish Kumar Reddy, ! Shot! Hit with real authority! Starc serves it on a length with a scrambled seam and offers width on off, Nitish Kumar Reddy throws his hands at it and flays it over covers for a boundary.

Mitchell Starc to continue and bowl his third over on the trot...

Vaibhav Arora to Nitish Kumar Reddy, Quick single taken!

Vaibhav Arora to Nitish Kumar Reddy, WIDE! Errs in line does Arora as he slips it beyond the wide guide line on off, on a good length, Nitish Kumar Reddy initially looks to go after it but changes his mind and leaves it alone.

Vaibhav Arora to Nitish Kumar Reddy, 2 runs.

Vaibhav Arora to Rahul Tripathi, Sees the batter make an early shuffle towards the off side but Arora holds his line and length, on middle and leg, on a good length, Rahul Tripathi backs away eventually and nudges it in front of mid on for a single.

Vaibhav Arora to Rahul Tripathi, Well bowled! Bends his back and bangs it in short, over middle, Rahul Tripathi goes for the pull but the ball sails over his bat.

Vaibhav Arora to Rahul Tripathi, No ball and Four!

Vaibhav Arora to Rahul Tripathi, No run.

Vaibhav Arora to Rahul Tripathi, This is on a length, on off, Rahul Tripathi skips down the track to go back over the bowler's head. Does not get hold of it but gets it away from mid off and collects a couple of runs.

Mitchell Starc to Nitish Kumar Reddy, No run.

Mitchell Starc to Nitish Kumar Reddy, No run.

Mitchell Starc to Rahul Tripathi, 1 run.

Mitchell Starc to Rahul Tripathi, ! Risky but Rahul Tripathi gets the reward!

Mitchell Starc to Nitish Kumar Reddy, Much better from Starc, attacking the stumps, on a fuller length, length, Nitish Kumar Reddy digs it out to the left of mid-wicket and takes a single.

Mitchell Starc to Nitish Kumar Reddy, Wide!

Mitchell Starc to Rahul Tripathi, Starc persists with the full length and serves it on off, Rahul Tripathi drives it wide of mid off and calls Nitish Kumar Reddy through for a quick single.

Nitish Kumar Reddy walks into a precarious situation at number 4.

Vaibhav Arora to Nitish Kumar Reddy, Oh...extra bounce on that occasion! Delivers it around the off-stump line, on a good length, Nitish Kumar Reddy looks to keep this one out on the off side but gets taken aback by the extra bounce but does well to negotiate the extra bounce and dabs it down on the off side.

Vaibhav Arora to Abhishek Sharma, ! c Andre Russell b Vaibhav Arora.

Vaibhav Arora to Abhishek Sharma, Honing in at the stumps, on a good length from around the wicket, Abhishek Sharma covers the line of the ball and stabs it to point.

Vaibhav Arora to Rahul Tripathi, Gets a good inward shape and hits the hard length, top of off, Rahul Tripathi waits on the back foot and dabs it wide of backward point for a single.

Vaibhav Arora to Abhishek Sharma, Much straighter this time, on a back of a length, on off, Abhishek Sharma cuts it late towards deep backward point for a single.

Vaibhav Arora to Abhishek Sharma, WIDE! Bowls it into the deck but slips way outside the wide guideline on off, Abhishek Sharma shimmies down the track but lets it go for a wide.

Vaibhav Arora to Abhishek Sharma, Starts off on a length, angling away, on off, Abhishek Sharma hangs back and cuts it to the left of deep backward point for a couple of runs. Abhishek Sharma is away!

Vaibhav Arora to bowl from the other end.

Mitchell Starc to Rahul Tripathi, ! Aerial but it sails over!

Mitchell Starc to Rahul Tripathi, Pitches it up in the channel on off, Rahul Tripathi watchfully leaves the ball alone for the keeper to collect.

Mitchell Starc to Rahul Tripathi, Four!

Mitchell Starc to Rahul Tripathi, Nearly two in two for Mitchell Starc! Gets the ball to tail back in, on a length, around the off-stump line, Rahul Tripathi gets half-forward as he looks to keep it out. Does enough to adjust to the inward movement and gets his bat out in front of the pads to defend it on the off side.

Rahul Tripathi walks in early at number 3.

Mitchell Starc to Travis Head, Action straightaway! A mix-up on the first ball but no harm done. Mitchell Starc steams in from over the wicet and dishes it out on a fullish length, shaping away, on off, Travis Head squeezes it out to cover. Abhishek Sharma sets off for the run but gets sent back. Shreyas Iyer hurls in a throw at the bowling end but fails to hit the target.

Mitchell Starc to Travis Head, ! KNOCKED HIM OVER! Cometh the big game, cometh Mitchell Starc! Starc wins the battle of the Aussies and it is a second consecutive duck for Travis Head.

All in readiness for this crunch encounter to begin! The two umpires are the first ones to make their way out in the middle. Out come the Kolkata players next striding through the fireworks and taking their places on the field. Finally, the explosive duo of Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma also make their way through the fireworks and will open the innings for Hyderabad. Mitchell Starc has the new ball in hand and he is raring to go on the big stage. One slip in place as well, let's play...

Andre Russell is in for a chat. He says that it is a good feeling to make it to the playoffs, and the team has been having a tremendous season. Hopes that they can continue playing good cricket. Shares that they are focused despite the previous two games being washed out and are ready to play some cricket. He mentions that he has been hitting the ball well but feels that he missed out in a couple of innings where he could have pushed the score further. He adds that the balance in the team gives

Hyderabad (Playing XI) - Travis Head, Abhishek Sharma, Rahul Tripathi, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Heinrich Klaasen (WK), Abdul Samad, Shahbaz Ahmed, Pat Cummins (C), Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Vijayakanth Viyaskanth, T Natarajan.

Kolkata (Playing XI) - Rahmanullah Gurbaz (WK), Venkatesh Iyer, Shreyas Iyer (C), Rinku Singh, Sunil Narine, Andre Russell, Ramandeep Singh, Mitchell Starc, Vaibhav Arora, Harshit Rana, Varun Chakaravarthy.

The captain of Kolkata, Shreyas Iyer says that they were looking to bowl first so they got what they wanted. Feels that it is better to have a fair idea of how the wicket is playing in a crucial game and therefore, they wanted to bowl first. Shares that it is a mixed-soil pitch and wants to see how the wicket behaves. Feels that the break they got due to the last two games being washed out was a good one and it gave them the chance to introspect. Adds that it is important to stay in the present

Pat Cummins, the skipper of Hyderabad says that they will bat first. Adds that the wicket looks good and there is enough grass on it, so, it should be a high-scoring contest. Mentions that the boys are excited to be back in the playoffs and yesterday was a travel day for them but they feel refreshed. Ends by informing that they have pretty much the same team from the last game.

Impact players nominated by Hyderabad - Umran Malik, Sanvir Singh, Glenn Phillips, Washington Sundar, Jaydev Unadkat.

Impact players nominated by Kolkata - Anukul Roy, Manish Pandey, Nitish Rana, KS Bharat, Sherfane Rutherford.